Chapter 19.1

If you can’t control your power well, then perhaps it’s too much.

“This will probably happen a lot in the future. What do you think I should do?” Seira looked up to her father’s spirit for wisdom.

It looks like the situation is truly serious.

Nathan sighed deeply and looked at his daughter with pity in his eyes as he said,

For now, you don’t need to worry about it. I’ll look into it tomorrow.

“Yes, Dad. Thank you.”

It’s already late. Go on child, have dinner and rest.

With eyes full of regret, Seira gazed into Nathan’s eyes. She wanted to talk more since she had been away for months because of the subjugation war. She wanted to embrace him and feel the safety within his broad arms. After that, all of the tiredness would disappear instantly.

But he was so near yet so far to reach.

I’ll be here tomorrow, too.

Her father looked at Seira with gentle eyes, noticing the relief in her face when he said those words.

“…I know,” Seira nodded and rose from her seat. “See you tomorrow, Dad.”

See you tomorrow, Seira.

The late Duke Askan didn’t move an inch until Seira left the room entirely. Unlike her, he didn’t need to eat or rest.

He was not alive.

But why? Seira couldn’t fathom how his soul, who should have rested upon death, was still suffering from being caught in the black castle. Still, Seira didn’t call the High Priest, and she has no intention to do so in the near future.

Her father’s soul left in the black castle was a miracle to her. She couldn’t tell a living soul, not even Aven whom she trusted the most. She was fine to think she was going crazy, but what she was afraid was that people would tell her to let Nathan go if they knew. It was a secret that she intends to keep to her last breath.

“Have you been to the office?”

As she went downstairs, Seira saw Aven standing in the hallway of the second floor.

“Yes,” she answered.

He always waited for her diligently when she went to the third floor. He never climbed up the stairs, as if he knew that there was a line drawn for him.

“You don’t rest at all,” she sighed.

Aven disregarded her little comment, and then waved for her to follow him, “Eat first and then you can get a good night’s sleep the rest of the evening.”

Aven prepared a stew with minced vegetables in meat broth for dinner. It seemed like a menu that was neither too heavy or light, considering it was about to be bedtime soon.

Seira quietly emptied one bowl after another, surprisingly finding herself famished from their short travel. It was extremely delicious that the only reason that kept her from eating another bowl was the fact that it was almost bedtime.

Aven, who had been watching closely with every bite she took, asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Huh?”

“You had a fever…”

Seira’s eyes blinked fast in confusion.

“Can I touch your forehead for a moment?”

Even before she could nod or shake her head in response, Aven strode up to her side of the table. But instead of his hands, what touched her forehead was Aven’s soft lips. Seira’s hand which held her spoon trembled at the the ticklish sensation that seemed to fall down slightly.

“It’s hotter than usual,” he commented.

She knew her physical condition wouldn’t be normal. It was bound to be true since she fought with the pure-blooded Alpha, Calrad Lowell Viseltium, with pheromones.

Aven went in and out of the kitchen, and he brought a mug that contained warm milk. Its savory scent wafted in the air as she sipped the drink. There was a distinct taste of honey in it too – it seemed like Aven put plenty.

When she wasn’t feeling her best, Aven brought her milk with honey to drink as it was now. Just like what her father did every time she whined when she couldn’t sleep as a child.

“You’d better get some rest,” he urged her gently.

“Yes, I know.”

After she finished the whole mug, Seira immediately returned to her bedroom. Even after her bed has been prepared, Aven didn’t leave the room. Instead of going out silently like he usually did, he pulled a chair towards the foot of the bed and sat down. It seemed like he wanted to watch over her condition just in case it gets worse.

“You must be tired yourself,” Seira said as she lay on the bed, “Go and rest as well, Aven.”

Aven only shook his head and said, “I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

Seira hid a knowing smile and waved him over to her side, “If that’s the case, come this way.”

Aven moved his chair immediately, and Seira then turned around in his direction. Aven pulled his hand which was neatly placed on his lap and put it over her forehead.

“What do you think? Are you feeling any better now?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Seira simply replied.

“I’ll have to check it again then.”

His long hand looked pretty on the outside, but it was full of hard calluses which wasn’t the best tool to measure body temperature. Aven frowned slightly as he tried to gauge her temperature, but soon shook his head after.

“…I don’t think it’s changed in the meantime,” he mumbled softly as he rose from his chair.

Seira leaned her upper body on the bed as she pushed with one hand, a single strand of hair slid down the side of her face. When Aven’s lips touched her forehead again as he got closer, Seira suddenly reached out and hugged him.

“…”

His shoulders stiffened at the gentle friction that grazed the back of his neck.

“I don’t think I have a higher body temperature,” she whispered with a tiny hint of laughter in her voice.

The sound of one’s pounding heart seemed to be the only thing that ringed in the four corners of Seira’s bedroom.